Theresa White

Theresa (Petroske) White was born on June 9, 1936 to Louis, a WWII railroad worker, and Fannie (Davis) Petroske, a rosy riveter, housekeeper, and a switchboard operator who installed a “you can do it” work ethic that Theresa held onto and passed down to her own two daughters.

Theresa was a high school cheerleader and was on so many of the extracurricular boards and activities. She was so well loved that her yearbook lacks room to write in. Black and orange were her adopted state Washington’s, Spokane’s West Valley colors in high school. Her friends from those days are still her friends and hold her dear.

She had many adopted daughters and family, and lifelong friends who cherish this woman we love so much and whom we will incredibly miss from our daily lives on this side of the veil and hope to meet again.

Mother, wife, explorer, world traveler, expert at living and life. Simple and yet complex, never assuming. Kind, generous, gentle touch, and tougher than you could ever imagine. All from this tiny framed beautiful woman.

Much loved by so many all around the world and so many states. From Washington state to Florida, to Australia and Africa and Peru. On her travels she touched so many people, some whom she never even met in person, but was simply and purely well loved by all who encountered this simple, honest and caring sweet soul.

Theresa was a wonderful cook, confidant, designer of house designs and architectural plans, homemaker, author of short stories, lover of reading. In 2017 she read 90 books. She loved personal journals, nature, rural living and was happy alone or funny and witty with others. Organizer of special events, grant writer for EMS projects, and had an amazing “green thumb” which turned her private sanctuary in the desert into an oasis. A natural healer and nurturing soul, a mom of so many beloved fur kids most recently; Bear, Sparky, and Sundown, who will meet her at the rainbow bridge.

She was a skilled, caring, much loved EMT on the Fort McDermitt, Nevada EMS crew, selflessly serving her community till the stunning age of 70. The last years her personal health struggles were long and difficult. She was a long-time survivor of a brain aneurism.

On March 26, 2020, Theresa passed away in her daughter Katherine’s home at 83 years of age while holding her hand. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a pioneer spirit and a survivor of the tragic sudden loss of her high school sweetheart in 2003, her much loved partner in life, her companion world explorer. Her husband: Jeffrey M. White, former Marine. She was a cousin of the local Petroske’s, Ronald (Ron) Petroske of Staples, who passed away a few years ago and who coaxed Katherine and Theresa back to Minnesota.
 

Theresa is survived by her daughters: Katherine (Walter)Delain Ribeiro; Cindy (Jack) Burden; grandchildren: Chelsey Burden and Grant Burden; step-grandson: Nolan Ribeiro; sister: Harriet Berg, of Payette, Idaho; 2 nieces: Yvette Hollis and Yvonne Korthals; 5 great-nieces: Aimee Rogers; Sarah Underwood; Kimberly Terry;  Lorinda Barajas; and Rikki Loudermilk; 12 great-great-nieces and nephews: Caitlyn and Dylan Pittz; Abby Terry; Micah, Moses and Reece Underwood; Jude, Lennon and Luna Barajas; Izaya, Lennon and Luna Laudermilk. brother-in-law: Bruce (Naomi) White, their son: Peter (Lori) White and their sons: Jason and Ryan; her rescued cat Snowball Paulson of Wadena, Minnesota; many other relatives and a host of friends.

 

Theresa's family is grateful to Red River Valley Hospice.

As Theresa was an EMT and cared about the wellbeing of everyone, in lieu of flowers or a memorial service her family requests that you please stay home due to COVID-19. Instead they suggest you plant a tree, flower or plant in her memory.
 

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